Contact Your Spirit Guides by Asandra

In September of last year, I did a short interview with Asandra, a writer and channel. She shared some intriguing information about herself and her job as a channel.

We spoke briefly of her new book, which is scheduled to be released in June.

Here's what she had to say:

My book, Contact Your Spirit Guides (Schiffer Publishing), is a comprehensive instruction manual that also includes numerous channeled essays that chronicle the soul’s journey toward awakening. Spirit guided me as well to design an oracle that is incorporated as a perforated section of the book. The Spirit Guidance Cards are a set of 24 simply designed images and suggested interpretations using a layout of four cards. It is a fun method that individuals can use to work with their guides.

Asandra's new book and oracle cards are available for pre-order at Amazon with a discount.

Interpreting Tarot Cards

Rider Waite

There are so many books out that give suggestions of the meanings of each card. How can you possibly know which ones to go with? The best advice I can give is take what you can from the different opinions, but don’t be afraid to form your own. Through time and experience, you will experience the card and come to know what each card means to you.

The worst thing you can do is change the meanings of the cards with each reading because you’ve just read a new book on the subject. Sometimes the meanings will change slightly in relation to the other cards, but use your own intuition for this, not the guidance of someone else’s opinion.

The cards work through you not the writer of a tarot guide. It is very important to establish an ongoing meaning for the cards for them to work properly.

Let’s take The Fool for example. Here are a few meanings from different books.

Innocence, risk taking, new adventures, foolishness

A trusting nature, seeking answers to hidden messages, unconventional, a need to be carefree, spontaneous

Courageous, optimistic, having faith in self, listening to our inner self, leaping into a new phase of life

An innocent and daring personality

A beginning of a journey, a leap into the unknown, a new chance, an important decision, time for a change, purity of action, being born again, all things are possible, trust in a higher power, an unexpected influence

And the suggestions go on and on. Try to remember all of this and you are going to end up with either a headache or a puzzling reading.

Do yourself a favor. Pick two key words, stick to them, and wrap your intuition around developing a full-fledge interpretation at the time of the reading. Make yourself a journal and use it as a guide if you need one rather than searching through your various guidebooks.

The Fool’s Journey - The Emperor

Legacy of the Divine Tarot

Continuance of The Fool's Journey - The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress

The path came to an end and the Fool found himself stepping into a world unknown to him. Buildings rose from the earth’s floor and people scurried about. In the center of all the chaos a structure stood unlike the others. A red carpet lined the steps and disappeared within.

The Fool pulled heavy doors open and entered the building. The red carpet flowed over glass floors and led to a man holding a gold staff. Columns surrounded the man, who dressed in gold clothing. An image of a large ram filled the wall behind. The Fool, unsure of rather he should be within the walls, took a step back.

“No, come forward,” The man bellowed.

The Fool stepped forward, unsure of what else to do. He knelt before the man as if it were natural, but in truth he’d never bowed down to anyone.

“That’s right son. Respect your father.”

The Fool looked up and spoke sharply. “You are not my father.”

“Yes, boy, I am the father of all you saw on your journey here. I am the ruler and controller of the land and the people.”

“There is no such thing. People are free-willed and we need no ruler.”

“Oh, but you do. Without rules there would be chaos. Society would crumble without my guidance.” The man stepped forward, motioning for the Fool to rise. “No more protesting. You have come here to learn, and I shall teach you.”

The man told the Fool what was expected of him and the rules that must be obeyed.

As any man, the Fool was reluctant to hear such things, but listened with obedience. Soon he came to understand most of what he was told and disregarded the rest.

“I am aware that you have decided that some of this information is not worth knowing, but as you move through society you will remember the rules. If you so choose to disobey, you shall find there are punishments that will come to you. But, with this, you will also find lessons. Go out into the world and continue your journey.”

The Fool turned from the man and left. He continued through the town, pondering over all he’d learned.

The journey continues...Faith

Three levels of consciousness

Rachel Pollack Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom

As you learn the tarot, you will find that the more you understand the cards the easier it is to get meaning from your readings. As a tarot reader, you will find that understandings of the cards will grow and evolve with time.

One way to look at the Major Arcana cards is as a psychological process, showing stages of our existence to reach a state of full development. In Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, Rachel Pollack splits the Major Arcana into three layers of seven.

These divisions are the conscious, subconscious, and super subconscious.

Rachel Pollack’s explanation of the three levels and the individual cards is excellent and easy to follow. For both new readers and experienced, this book will give you a better understand of the Major Arcana, or at least a new outlook on the cards.

Throughout the section of her book focused on the Major Arcana, she constantly compares the cards. You may find it helpful to lay out your cards or print out a version of these divisions for easy reference.

Have you read Rachel Pollack’s Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom? Did you feel it moved you to a new level as a reader?

A Tarot Journal

A Tarot Journal is a great tool for both the beginner tarot reader and the more experienced.

You may wonder what you put in a journal, where you begin and what you use.

You need something to write on. This choice may vary from each individual. You could buy a journal, use a spiral notebook, or even use your computer. I prefer writing by hand. Of course, no one’s to say that you can’t do both. You could also take pictures and include them in your journal, whether you use paper or computer screen to view later.

Readings, of course, would be the main goal of a journal. A documentation that can be viewed years from the entry is an exciting thing. Looking back, you are sure to see even more than you did the day you conducted the reading. You’ll be able to gauge your progress in life, and your ability to read the cards. A picture of your reading is a great addition to your entry.

Another option is to produce your own tarot dictionary with your journal, a page for each card. This could also, of course, be produce on your computer. A nice option is to include thumbnails of each card, or even different versions of the card.

A good way to start your dictionary is to write the card name, key words, and then your impression of the card. You can always come back and add to each page and see the meanings change and evolve with time. You could even jot down thoughts that other readers may have on certain cards that you find interesting.

The main point of this journal is not for constant reference, but with most people after writing something it becomes easier to remember and causes the mind to think more on the matter. Years from now, when you pull this journal out to take a look, you may be surprised to find that a card evolved to a point that you first thought is nowhere near you current thought of its meaning.

So, with the New Year here, why not start your own tarot journal, or review the one already in progress.

Feel free to share your thoughts. Do you have other uses for your journal?

Happy New Year!

New years in village by Jon Sullivan

May the new year bring you all an explosion of spiritual growth.
Happy New Year!